Coming off a successful season in which Towson went 10-9 in the regular season and clinched a berth in the Colonial Athletic Association playoffs for the first time since 2008, the team looks to start off where it ended in 2011.

The Tigers lost seven seniors from last year’s team, including leading scorers Kim Schnell and Katie DeFilippo, as well as captain Jamie Salvador.

The task of filling the holes left by the seniors is one of this year’s obstacles, junior defenseman Katie Williams said.

“Losing the seniors from last year was tough,” Williams said. “But I have faith that our 14 underclassmen will step up and give our team a chance to win.”

Towson welcomes a strong freshman class of seven more players that could see playing time immediately in forwards Allie Goodwill, Kelsey Jones, Heather Jenney and Alicia Wagner, midfielder Kelsey Jenkens and defensemen Taylor Wood and Casi Neidigh.

Back for the Tigers’ offense are seniors Janine Kovach and Kasie Nurko and junior Kate Nolan, all of whom earned over 10 points last season.

The Towson offense looks to improve in shots taken, outshot 282-206 last season and penalty corners won, of which they lost 182-96.

Highlighting the defense is Williams and senior Megan Penza, who started 19 out of 20 games last season.

The Tigers backline will have the task of lowering the goals per game total from last season, 2.05 goals per game. They will also look to help sophomore goalie Tashani Dickson in her first year as a starter.

“I think this will be an exceptional year for our defense and for Tashani in her first year starting,” Williams said. “Our newcomers should rise to the occasions and give us depth that will help us going down the stretch.”

Towson lost both games in their opening weekend to Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart, but they hope to rebound against two tough non-conference opponents, Virginia and Pennsylvania, this weekend.